The lights here in Manhattan just went out and we’ve lost power, but thanks to a back-up generator, we have emergency lights. I don’t know if you can tell me if we’re on the air or not? I don’t know either…okay, well folks, if you can hear us, that’s news to me. Just as he was about to switch back to the local guy, Hide came back on, sounding very excited. He quickly wondered aloud if terrorism might be involved.Įrik held his breath and switched back to Hide’s show.
T none of the TV superpowers, CNN, MSNBC, or FOX were covering the breaking story yet. Then the host stopped mid-sentence and started talking about some sort of power outage being reported in New York. Erik hadn’t heard of this local guy before, but he was also talking about liberals dragging California into the abyss. “Okaaay.” He switched to another local station, this one from Tampa. He looked at the time on the clock-4:17pm. He looked around the parking lot for a few seconds, waiting. The car was still rumbling in idle, cool air conditioning blowing against his face. His hand was almost to the dial he hadn’t touched it yet. Hide was lambasting someone in California about the pathetic state of political affairs. He had been listening-somewhat-to the local AM station broadcasting the nationally syndicated conservative talk show host Malcolm Hide. When he found a space and pulled in, he reached to turn off the radio. I’m domesticated, Erik thought as he pulled into the store parking lot and began the hunt for a spot. But at least they didn't have any friends that would require explanations yet. He thought once again how strange it was that she was out working while he stayed home to clean and tidy up the apartment, get the groceries, cook…the role reversal seemed strange. He had a list of things they needed for the new apartment and he and Brin simply could not deal without this stuff any longer. The car was just going to have to wait its turn. Erik pushed down on the accelerator and continued on his way to the local giant-size chain department store. That's what credit cards are for.Įrik sighed again and the light turned. Just keep it going a little longer, he told himself. This thing does have almost 150,000 miles on it…I’m surprised it hasn’t died on me by now. He bit back the comment he was about to make about the car. This was the second time in as many weeks that the car had begged to be taken to a service station-the last trip had cost him $500 for a fuel injector cleaning. The orange “Service Engine Soon” light had just come to life on the dashboard. It was time for the Baby Boomers to retire after all, and all the states were going to be in sore need of new teachers.Ī small beep brought him out of his own self-pity. Everyone back home told him he could find work as a teacher in the meantime. He planned to start his quest for a master’s degree in a few weeks. She had been recruited the previous winter by a big pharmaceutical company, so that when the two had finished school she was ready to start work. He knew it wasn’t for lack of trying, but it depressed him nonetheless. It had been two months since he and his fiancée Brin Hideyo had moved to Florida’s “Sun Coast” and he’d so far been unsuccessful in finding a way to help pay the bills. It was just another Thursday afternoon for the rest of the world, but for him, it was another day without landing a job. THE LEADERS – Enemies, Foreign and DomesticĮRIK LARSSON SAT behind the wheel of his car, waiting at a red light. THEODORE ROOSEVELT – The Big Stick Strikes Back NORAD – The Speech Heard ‘Round the World THEODORE ROOSEVELT – Haze Gray and Under Way SARASOTA – To Secure Peace, Prepare for War NORAD – North American Air Defense Command To receive the latest news on upcoming releases and inside information (including exclusive content for subscribers) join my mailing list, The Freeholder Update.Įxpect one to two emails a month-no spam. Without your unflinching love, support, and patienceĮvents, news and more, please visit the following: No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written consent by the author. Any similarity to living and/or deceased people is purely coincidental and not intentional. The people and events in this book are written for entertainment purposes only.